Lower Mustang Tour
Lower Mustang is in the trans-Himalayan region and it retains the culture and heritage of the Mustang kingdom. Traversing the gorge wedged between Annapurna (8,091m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m) following the salt trading tour is one of the best Himalayan adventures. Short and easy hikes to pristine alpine lakes, charming villages of Thakali and visit of rustic ancient earthen walled monasteries make Lower Mustang tour more vibrant than Upper Mustang.
Feel the essence of Mustang kingdom without paying the expensive permit.The tour offers up close views of Annapurna I, Nilgiri Himal, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and other peaks. The archaeologically important sky caves of Chokopani and Myabrak are also in the lower Mustang region. Explore the last Bon (pre-Buddhist religion) village of Lubra and stay in the apple orchard village of Marpha and Tukuche. The lower Mustang tour is the best way to experience the trans-Himalayan culture and scenery.
Highlights of Lower Mustang Tour
- Trans Himalayan region with culture and landscape like Tibet.
- Best view of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Nilgiri and other peaks.
- Spiritual tour with visits of ancient Tibetan Buddhist and Bon monasteries and the pilgrimage site of Muktinath.
- Stay in a charming apple orchard village of Thakali people.
- Customizable easy to moderate walks with option of driving and flying.
- Necessary trekking permits.
- Private off road vehicle . Flight for extra cost
- Tour with licensed and experienced guide.
- Comfortable Lodge accommodation with three meals a day.
- Delay and cancellation because of naturl phenomenon. In case of flight cancellation, we can also drive and follow the itinerary.
- Any type of insurances. Rescue and evacuation will be done on your account.
- Bottled drinks and beverages.
- Tea breaks, snacks or anything purchased directly beside three meals included.
Best Tour for winter
Winter days are mostly sunny and warm. The snowfall makes everything more scenic. The temperature may drop down to -10C at night but the luxury lodges have heating to keep you warm. With 6 hours of sunshine per day and average of 27 sunny days in a month, winter months are the best time to visit the lower Mustang.Customize Lower Mustang Tour for winter with Pokhara - Jomsom flight.
Lower Mustang tour Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Kalopani (2,530m) – 119km / 6 hrs
Drive west of Pokhara, on the Baglung highway. The road climbs up to Naudanda offering panoramic views of Annapurna range. The highway winds down to Modi River valley and then follows upstream Kali Gandaki valley. The drive is thrilling as we traverse the world's deepest gorge wedged between two 8,000giants of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri. Kalopani is one of the most beautiful villages in the juxtaposition of the trans-Himalayan arid valley and the lush southern foothills.
Day 2: Explore the land of Thakali and drive to Kagbeni (2,804 m) – 40 km / 2 hrs
From here we enter the territory of lower Mustang dominated by Thakali people. There is a lot to explore. You can do the detour (hike) of 3 – 4 hrs to Titi Lake or visit the Ghhursanbo cave from Larjung. Marpha and Tukuche are the biggest Thakali villages with beautiful apple orchards and distilleries. Explore / hike to Ghhursanbo cave. Visit the distilleries, apple orchard and Tibetan village. Overnight in Kagbeni.
Day 3 : Explore Tiri village | Drive to Muktinath
Kagbeni and Tiri villages in the corridor of Upper Mustang, have cultural enclaves of the medieval kingdom of Lo. Their over 500 years old ocher painted monasteries and chortens with houses made with rammed earth and mud roofs still gives the medieval glimpse. Until recently, Tiri village was in the restricted area of Upper Mustang. A short exploration of old Kagbeni and Tiri village will give us insight of Mustang architecture, spirituality and culture.
Another excursion upstream Muktinath River will take us to the abandoned village of Mebrak and the cave complex where the mummies dating back to 400 Bc were discovered in the 1995 excavation.
In the late afternoon drive to Muktinath. Explore the pilgrimage site.
Day 4 : Walk to Lubra | Drive to Marpha
Enjoy the overview of Kaligandaki valley cut deep between the snow peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifes. Later gradually climb through the pastures to Lubra pass (4,100 m) offering another panoramic view of the Himalayas. The trail then descends steeply on the mountain side to Lubra village. Lubra is the last Bonpo village with their authentic monasteries and school which teaches Bon scriptures. Later we will drive to Marpha village for an overnight stay. Explore the apple orchard, Tibetan refugee village and the 16th century Chhairo monastery. If time permits you can also walk from the southern bank of Jomsom to Marpha exploring the Leopard cave and Dhumba Lake.
Day 5 : Drive to Larjung village and hike to Sekong Lake
After spending another beautiful morning in the Thakali village of Marpha, we will drive down for about 45 minutes to Larjung village. There is also a walking trail across the Kaligandaki River. But the 4 hrs round trip walking to Sekong Lake is the best part of the day. The hike to Sekong Lake will unveil the pristine yak pastures with magnificent views of Annapurna I, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and the icefall.
Day 6 :Drive back to Pokhara.
Drive back to Pokhara or extend the Lower Mustang tour with an extra night to wallow in the natural hot spring at Tatopani or to drive or trek to Ghorepani - Poon Hill.
Sekong Lake - Lower Mustang
Lower Mustang tour in monsoon
Mustang in the trans-Himalayan rain shadow is the best place to visit during the rainy season. While Nepal receives about 1500 mm average annual rainfall, it is only 307 mm for Mustang. June, July and August are summer and also the time for Himalayan flowers to bloom. The horse riding festival of Yartung and the Bonpo festival of 'Thini Bhadra Festival' fall in the months of August / September.
Tour recommended for Monsoon
- Support local company.
- Expertise over 20 years.
- Cost effective Treks.
- Cultural immersion experience.
- High quality services.
- Eco friendly & sustainable practices.
Things to do in Lower Mustang
Information about day hikes and excursions in Lower Mustang. Check out the best places to stay and things to do.
Best hotel in the world by
Muktinath Yatra
Muktinath Temple
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